WILL THIS DARN TRIP (and this trip report) NEVER END!?!?!?!?

Boarded my 2:40 SEA-DEN at 2:20. At 2:30 the pilot announces a 1 hour mechanical delay. This means I will miss my tight connection in DEN to IAD. No problem, I pick up the cell and make sure I am protected on the red-eye out of denver. Now this is a 747-400 and I'm in 15B upstairs, so i see the mechanics tromping back and forth to the cockpit then back downstairs every five minutes. At 3:30, the pilot says it will probably be another 45 mins or so. At 3:45, the plane is decalared unflyable an we are de-boarded. Being upstairs, I am far from one of the first to get off the plane and into the line of nearly 300 people needing alternate routings and flights. I consdier reaching for the handy cellular again to make my alternate arrangements, but it occurs to me, hey, I'm 1k, I bet there wont be a line at the 1k center.

So i go there, and lo and behold, trish (now MY angel, too) has already made my alternate booking and has boarding passes waiting for me. I asked her how she knew I would come there, and she said, well you are a 1k flyer, aren't you? Unfortunately it is for the 10pm red-eye nonstop SEA-IAD, but at least in first class.

My first instict is to see if Punki (QL is in San Antonio this week)or other local flyertalkers want to play for six hours, but the laptop beckons, as do 143 pending e-mails. Besides, i've received my fair share of hospitality from the Seattle FT contingent. So I forego fun in favor of a sunday afternoon of rcc football games and work. No Redskins (who the heck wants to see chicago vs. san diegeo????) makes the work actually get done

Now it is 9pm and my flight is showing on time in one hour. Again, pray for me!

Let the word go forth from this day never to be challenged: the only thing better than a red carpet club membership is 1k status. I love them both